SACRIFICED LIFE FOR OTHERS IN AMERICA !
Nigerian Immigrant, IJEOMA AFUKE, a Certified Nursing Assistant worker dies of Covid-19 in Chicago
…before becoming a Nurse, U.S citizen, helped patients for longer period months
* Deceased examination scheduled for June, completed requirements to become a United States citizen
* Chicago woman passed at Stroger Hospital of pneumonia related to a Coronavirus infection
* Family only able to raise $10,000 to defray cost of funeral
*“She did not have a serious underlying medical condition that made her more vulnerable to the virus” – Cook County medical examiner’s office
*BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/AMERICAN Foreign Bureau Chief
HER DEATH IS PAINFUL. SHE HAD A GOOD HEART, always willing to help her patients in the hospital. IJEOMA AFUKE died of infection traceable to the deadly Coronavirus disease without realizing her dream of becoming a Nurse and a United States citizen.
Nearly five years after emigrating from Nigeria, Afuke was within reach of realizing two major goals. The certified nursing assistant was studying to become a nurse in the United States. Afuke’s exam was scheduled in June. She also had completed the requirements to become a United States citizen and had an important interview in April that was postponed due to the emergence of the Coronavirus. Before she could reschedule it, the 35-year-old Chicago woman became another casualty working on the pandemic’s front line in the health care sector.
Afuke died April 29 at Stroger Hospital of pneumonia related to a COVID-19 infection. She did not have a serious underlying medical condition that made her more vulnerable to the virus, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Her husband, JJ Afuke, said he believes Ijeoma contracted the virus while working for MADO Healthcare in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.
The nursing facility had an outbreak of 50 confirmed cases among residents and staff and three deaths as of Friday, state public health officials said, citing the most current information available. Afuke said his wife had complained about a lack of personal protective equipment at work.
He urged her to take a break last month after she came down with cold like symptoms, but she brushed it off and continued to work. He said she soon became too weak to walk up the stairs of their South Shore apartment. Afuke said he also tested positive for the virus, but his symptoms have been less severe. As he plans his wife’s memorial services for next week, the Lyft driver described his overwhelming grief.
The couple has a daughter, Adaugo, which means “princess,” who turns 3 in August. “I lost my angel,” he said. “She was a great mother, a great wife and an extraordinary human being. My wife is my superstar.” He said Ijeoma immigrated in August 2015 to begin a new life with him in Chicago. The two wed a few years earlier when he was in Nigeria for his father’s funeral. A mutual friend had introduced them.
She remained behind in Nigeria until 2015 while studying nursing and securing all the necessary paperwork to come to the United States. She was from the state of Abia in an eastern part of the country. JJ Afuke’s niece said the couple’s bond was evident to others in the family despite their 27-year age difference. “He was head over heels for her,” said Adaku Otuonye, of Lake Villa. “For my uncle, she was God’s gift. She fulfilled him and was that missing part of him.” Afuke said his wife was a nurse in Nigeria but had to complete the licensing process in the United States. In the meantime, Ijeoma was working as a certified nursing assistant while studying for her licensing exam to be a nurse in June. “She liked America and the opportunities,” Afuke said.
“She just wanted to pursue nursing and do the best she could. She was very smart, a go-getter and very ambitious.” Afuke said his wife loved her job and was committed to her patients, even when she became sick. “I told her to stop working, but she did not want to,” he said. “She wanted to keep helping people.” He took Ijeoma to the hospital April 19. One week later, despite a persistent fever, he said she was stable and still speaking to relatives and friends on the phone daily.
Her April 29 death was unexpected, he said, and came suddenly shortly after she was intubated due to a fluctuating heart rate. “Everyone was looking forward to seeing her be successful in America,” Afuke said of her family in Nigeria. “I never thought she would die from this because she was very much alive and was talking to me and her friends all week.”
A spokesman for MADO Healthcare described Ijeoma Afuke as a “dedicated” co-worker. In a statement, he denied allegations that workers were not properly protected and said the company is following city, state and federal safety guidelines.
“Never in our 59-year history of providing compassionate nursing care has the country and the world faced the daunting challenges presented by this pandemic — one that has impacted every sector of our society,” the statement read.
“Our co-workers are among the true heroes in battling this insidious virus.” Afuke said the couple had hoped to have two more children. He said his wife believed their gifted daughter would grow up to become a doctor and help others. He has not told her yet that her mother is dead. He said the child has looked for her around their apartment and has asked, “Where is mommy?”
His niece, Adaku Otuonye, set up a fundraiser to help defray tens of thousands of dollars in medical and funeral expenses. It had raised $10,000 by Tuesday. She said her uncle, who has self-quarantined, has not been able to return to work in weeks. “They really are the unsung heroes in health care,” she said of CNAs. Their families are mostly low income. It breaks my heart. She was one person, but many others also are losing their lives for so little. … She was just trying to find the American Dream.”
CERTAINLY, Good journalism costs a lot of money. Without doubt, only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government. We are ready to hold every corrupt government accountable to the citizens.
To continually enjoy free access to the best investigative journalism in Nigeria, we are requesting of you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all without fear or favor.
Your donation is voluntary — please decide how much and how often you want to give. For offline donation, email: letters@nigeriastandardnewspaper.com or call +2348037128048 (Nigeria) or +16825834890 (United States of America)
donation
